his part of Prince much more naturally than that of servant,
which he had just been trying, and raised them both with a great deal of
nobility, as well as kindness in his air. "Madam," says he, "my mother
will thank your ladyship for your hospitality to her son; for you,
madam," turning to Beatrix, "I cannot bear to see so much beauty in such
a posture. You will betray Monsieur Baptiste if you kneel to him; sure
'tis his place rather to kneel to you."

A light shone out of her eyes; a gleam bright enough to kindle passion
in any breast. There were times when this creature was so handsome,
that she seemed, as it were, like Venus revealing herself a goddess in a
flash of brightness. She appeared so now; radiant, and with eyes bright
with a wonderful lustre. A pang, as of rage and jealousy, shot through
Esmond's heart, as he caught the look she gave the Prince; and he
clenched his hand involuntarily and looked across to Castlewood, whose
eyes answered his alarm-signal, and were also on the alert. The Prince
gave his subjects an audience of a few minutes, and then the two ladies
and Colonel Esmond quitted the chamber. Lady Castlewood pressed his hand
as they descended the stair, and the three went down to the lower rooms,
where they waited awhile till the travellers above should be refreshed
and ready for their meal.

Esmond looked at Beatrix, blazing with her jewels on her beautiful neck.
"I have kept my word," says he: "And I mine," says Beatrix, looking down
on the diamonds.

"Were I the Mogul Emperor," says the Colonel, "you should have all that
were dug out of Golconda."

"These are a great deal too good for me," says Beatrix, dropping her
head on her beautiful breast,--"so are you all, all!" And when she
looked up again, as she did in a moment, and after a sigh, her eyes,
as they gazed at her cousin, wore that melancholy and inscrutable look
which 'twas always impossible to sound.

When the time came for the supper, of which we were advertised by a
knocking overhead, Colonel Esmond and the two ladies went to the upper
apartment, where the Prince already was, and by his side the young
Viscount, of exactly the same age, shape, and with features not
dissimilar, though Frank's were the handsomer of the two. The Prince
sat down and bade the ladies sit. The gentlemen remained standing: there
was, indeed, but one more cover laid at the table:--"Which of you will
take it?" says he.

"The head of our house," says Lady